Furniture



H. L. BRAND Aug. 20, 1929.

vummunn 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14. 1922 H. L. BRAND Aug. 20, 1929.

FURNITURE Filed Nov. 14. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wail 2658:

Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES HORACE L. BRAND, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FURNITURE.

Application filed November This invention relates broadly to buildingstructures, more particularly to such structures as embody improvementsin furniture, the present invention involving first, im-

proved combined table and seating arrangement, and secondly, a improvedcollapsible seat structure.

This invention finds especial utility in affording an improved combinedtable and 'lo seating arrangement where the available space is small,but, as will appear, the improved seat construction, here shown asembodied in a wall, may be employed in other places and in otherarrangements than that 1.) shown, and will be found highly efficientwhenused in small apartments, small boats, vehicles, and the like, and,therefore, it will be seen that this invention finds a wide field ofutility for varied purposes and arrange- 2o ments.

The principal objects and advantages which characterize this inventionreside in the provision of an improved building constructioncharacterized by the embodiment therein of an improved table and seatingarrangement; the provision of an improved permanent combined table andseating arrangement; the provision of an improved combined table andseating arrangement characterized by the embodiment therein of animproved collapsible seat structure; the provision of an improvedcombined table and seating arrangement which occupies a minimum of spaceand yet afiords comfort; the provision of an improved combined table andseating arrangement which is collapsible to permit of use of the spaceoccupied thereby for other purposes; and the provision of a structuralarrangement of the character described which is simple in construction,may be folded compactly and completely concealed when not in use, andwherein there are employed a minimum number of parts for practicability.

As hereinabove pointed out, this invention is characterized by theprovision of an improved seat construction which may be embodied in awall or partition and characterized by the provision of means whichserves to conceal the seat when collapsed and support said seat whenextended; and the further provision of such a concealing and supportingmeans whereby the outer surfaces of the parts may be preserved againstmarring, or other damage when in use.

The foregoing and such other objects and 14, 1922. Serial No. 600,835.

features as may appear or be pointed out as thls description proceedsare attained in one structural embodiment illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

F gure 1 is a plan view of the table and seating arrangementconstructedin accordance with this invention, two forms of the seating device beingillustrated;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view, parts being shown in section; 7

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of one of the seating devices;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and t Figure 5 is anenlarged fragmentary sec-' tional view of a detail taken on line 5-5 ofFigure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and first to Figures 1 and2, there is illustrated a table and seating arrangement arranged in analcove 5 bordered by the walls 6 and 7 and the wall 8. The walls 6, 7and 8 defining the alcove 5 may be partitions in an ordinary apartmentconsisting of other rooms, or may be the side walls and an end bulk-headof a deck-house on a small boat, or the alcove 5 may be a compartment ina railway car. Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in. theart.

The table 9 is hingedly mounted by means of hinges 10 at the lower edgeof a recess 11 formed in the wall 8, which recess is adapted to receivethe table when swung up. The table is provided with a pocket or recess 9in its under face and a supporting leg'12 is mounted on hinges 13-13 inthe outer end of said recess, the upper end of the leg 12 being enlargedat 1-1 for this purpose. A latch 15 holds the table in the recess whennot in use. A pair of hinged doors 15 of any desired suitableconstruction are provided for closing the chamber 11 when the table 9 isswung up into the recess of pocket 11. A spring latch v15"holds thedoors closed.

It will be observed from an inspection of Figure 1 that when the tableis swung out as shown its side margins are equally spaced from the walls6 and 7, thus affording ample room for the seat members generallydesignated 1616, when swung out from their respective chambers orrecesses, as shown.

It will be observed that there are illustrated four of the seat members,but it will be obvious that any number of the same may be installeddepending upon the space found to be available. The seat members shownat the left of Figure-1 are constructed in accord ance with one form ofthis invention and those to the right are constructed in accordance withanother form. The seat members shown at the right are employed wherethey are installed when the wall is built, and are described first.

Reference being bad to Figures 3 and 4, it will be observed that thewall 7 is provided with a vertical pocket or chamber 17, and in saidpocket, at a proper height from the floor 18, there is provided atransverse supporting beam 19 on which the seat sect-ion 20 is hingedlymounted at 21, said seat section being adapted to be swung outwardlyinto a horizontal position as shown in Figure 2 and indicated in dottedlines at 22 in Figure 4. The seat member 20 may be provided withupholstering 23 which, when the seat is swung out, is presented in theproper relationship.

The recess is closed and the seat supported by a closure membercomprising the panel sections 24 and 25, which latter are hingedlyconnected at their adjacent ends by the provision of hinges 26 securedto the inner faces of said panels. The lower panel section 24 ishingedly mounted on the floor 18 by the provision of a pair of hinges27, so that the panel sections 24 and 25 may be swung outwardly into'theposition shown in Figure 2 and indi- V cated in dotted lines at 28 inFigure 4.

When the panel sections 24 and 25 are in the closed position as showninFigures 3 and 4 the conventional spring pressed ball catches 29 and 30engage in suitable recesses in the sides of the pocket 17 for retainingthe panels closed. A ring 31 is embedded in the front face of the panel25 so that the panels may be opened when desired. When in closedposition the upper portion of the bottom panel 24 engages a block 32carried by the under surface of the seat 20, so that the panels lieflush with the outer surface of the wall 7 and in a vertical alignment.

When the collapsible seat is to be used, the panels 24 and 25 are openedand swung outwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, the panel 25folding in upon the panel 24. The upper end surface of the panel 25 isadapted to engage a cleat 33 arranged transversely on the under surfaceof the seat member 20, said cleat having a rear surface thereof inclinedas at 34 to. form an abutment adapted to seat in a transverse groove 35in the adjacent end surface of the panel 25, and thus maintain the seatin a horizontal position.

It is noteworthy and important that the outer surface 36 of the panel 25and the outer surface 24* of the panel 24 do not come in contact withthe seat, the angularity of the panels and the provision of the inclinedsurface 34 on the cleat 33 preventing contact of the outer surfaces ofthe panels with the seat. Thus it is impossible for the seat to mar theedges, corners or outer surfaces of the panel members when in use.

Referring now to the structure of the seat shown at the left of Figures1 and 2, an arrangement is provided adapted for installation in a wallwhich has already been built. In this arrangement I provide a casing orcabinet 37 similar in general shape to the recess 17, and said cabinetor casing may be let into the wall, in this case the wall 6. The seatconstruction, panel construction and their association and operation areidentical in this arrangement with that illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.g

It will be readily apparent that in the form of the invention shown inthe left hand sides of Figures 1 and 2 the collapsible seat may beembodied in any piece of furniture and that the seat and the cabinet arein themselves a complete unit suitable for installation at any pointdesired. 'For example, the present invention may be utilized inconnection with automobile body design, theatre seating, etc. I

From the foregoing it will be evident that when not in use for dining orsimilar purposes the alcove or compartment 5 may be utilized for otherpurposes, the table folding entirely into the wall and the seats beingsimilarly withdrawn out of the way if desired.

It will be obvious that the outer surfaces of the panels 24 and 25 maybe upholstered or provided with an outer finish in conform ity with thedecoration of the walls 6 and 7, and that the doors which serve to closethe chamber which contains the table may similarly be provided with anouter finish in conformity with the general finish or appearance of thealcove. V

' An important feature of this invention resides in the provision of thepanel members which perform the two-fold function of completelyconcealing the seats when housed, and for supporting such seats inproper position when in use.

Another desirable end is attained by me, as will be perceived onconsideration of F igure 4 of the drawing, where it is clear thatinasmuch as the panel members 24 and 25 may be made flush with the wall7 the panels may be so coated with the wall covering that theirexistence as panels is hardly perceptible.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wall seat comprising a seat member fixedly hinged in a recess inthe wall and a panel hingedly mounted on the floor for concealing saidhinged member by closing such recess, said panel member serving tosupport said seat member V 7 when in a predetermined position. 7

2. A wall seat comprising a member fixedly hinged on a wall, and a panelalso hinged on the floor below said hinged member for concealing saidmember, said panel serving as the sole support of the outer end of thehinged member in a predetermined position.

3. A wall sea-t comprising, in combination with a wall recess, a seatmember fixedly hinged in said wall recess and adapted to be swungoutwardly therefrom, a panel member fixedly hinged to the floor to closesaid recess and conceal the seat member, said panel member being dividedinto a plurality of sections hinged and having the uppermost of saidsection abutting the seat when swung out for supporting the latter.

4. A wall seat comprising, in combination with a wall recess, a seatmember fixedly hinged in said wall recess and adapted to be 20 swungoutwardly therefrom, a panel member fixedly hinged to the floor to closesaid recess and conceal the seat member, said panel member being hingedat its medial portion to form a pair of sections foldable upon eachother and having the uppermost section abutting the seat when swung outfor supporting the latter.

5. A wall seat comprising, in combination with a wall recess, a seatmember fixedly hinged in said wall recess and adapted to be swungoutwardly therefrom, a panel member fixedly hinged to the floor to closesaid recess and conceal the seat member, said panel member comprisingtwo hinged sections which are folded upon each other so that the innersection directly supports the seat member when swung out.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name.

HORACE L. BRAND.

hereunto

